Why won't the company make the EVH exactly as they used to, minus the signature? Considering the originals are going for over 3,000 dollars, I can't afford one but would love to own one w/ the EXACT same specs. How many people feel the same way?
Well, personally speaking, I like the Axis... Let's face it, the location of the pickup selector on the EVH is kind of awkward, and many people find it gets in the way of their Pete Townsend-style windmilling, so moving it to a more traditional placement was a plus... The belly contour on the back is subtle, but helps with the comfort factor a bit... And the 1/32" widening of the neck at the body end is so slight that it's barely worth mentioning, except insofar as it helps to keep the E string on the board when your widdling away at the dusty end of the neck... Frankly, having recently played a couple EVHs, I'm glad that Dudley made the changes he did - I think they're an improvement.
That being said, they did continue to make an EVH-alike Axis model in Japan until very recently, and Ishibashi may still have some forsale... It costs a cool C-note to ship, but you'll still save big over an EVH, and the guitar is brand new when it arrives...
I've changed my mind. The changes are all improvments, it just looks better with the pup selector where it was on the evh but it's more practical where it is now, easier acces.